Winter Forecast Holds More Cold

The chilly blasts felt over much of the nation
in recent days are a preview of winter, the National Weather
Service said today.

“There is a good chance of seeing a couple more major cold
outbreaks and considerable swings in temperature and precipitation
across the nation,” said Weather Service Director Jack Kelly.

Kelly’s comments came as his agency updated its long-range
winter forecast.

Chill Will Linger

He said cold temperatures are expected to continue through the
next two weeks in the Western and Southern states, the Great Lakes
region and New England.

“The recent cold spell, including the ice storms, is an example
of what most of the nation will likely face throughout the
winter,” Kelly said. “Take precautions now to prepare for this
winter, because it’s here.”

The Cold Spots

A rundown of the updated 2001 forecast, as compared with “normal” or average conditions between 1961-1990:

Colder than normal for the southern half of Alaska.

Colder than normal in a region including Idaho, eastern
Washington and Oregon, northern Nevada and Utah, the westernmost
sections of Montana and Wyoming, and northwest Colorado.